The Great Whiteout

When we purchased our 1920s bungalow home six years ago, we loved everything about it. There was so much character and so little that needed updating (other than some beige carpet removal). We loved the idea that we didn't need to paint as the neutral colored walls were already to our liking.

But over the summer, I noticed that every pin I was pinning on Pinterest was of rooms with white walls. As a teacher with the summer off and time on her hands, I decided to test the waters and paint our downstairs bathroom. Not only was I nervous that white walls would be too modern, but I also worried what my husband would think. It was a success. The white color made the bathroom appear larger AND it matched the white tiles. The next thing I knew, I was buying more paint and more rooms were being transformed. We already had white trim and white ceilings so the white inevitably made each room lead into the next room so there was no where for your eye to stop. Everything came together and with every room now painted white our home became more cohesive. We also made the decision to remove the blinds from our original 1920s pressed glass windows in the living room so we could enjoy them instead of covering them up. That decision not only helped open up the room and let more natural light in, but it cuts back on all the dusting that comes with having blinds.

How to make the transition

Before:

After:

There are hundreds and hundreds of options when choosing a white paint. Needless to say, it can be overwhelming. We chose BEHR Premium Plus Ultra interior eggshell enamel in the color "White".

• It's better to go with a warm white instead of a cool bright white
• You will want an eggshell finish. Eggshell is a great finish for any room (including the kitchen) because it has just enough gloss for easy cleaning but not enough to make your walls look constantly wet.
• 2 coats for coverage and 3 coats when painting over darker paint colors.

We are so happy with our transformed home and it goes so well with our recent decision to simplify our lives. More on that in a future blog.